# US 10,502,029 B2 · Downhole power supply device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,029 B2 - Document ID: US10502029B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/610,962 - Filed: 2017-06-01 - Published: 2017-12-07 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-02 - Assignees: Welltec Oilfield Solutions AG - Applicants: Welltec Oilfield Solutions AG - Inventors: Carsten Nesgaard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502029B2 ## CPC - E21B 41/0085: {Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes} - E21B 47/07: Temperature - H01M 8/04171: {using adsorbents, wicks or hydrophilic material} - H01M 8/04201: {Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes} - H01M 8/103: having nitrogen, e.g. sulfonated polybenzimidazoles [S-PBI], polybenzimidazoles with phosphoric acid, sulfonated polyamides [S-PA] or sulfonated polyphosphazenes [S-PPh] - H01M 8/186: {by electrolytic decomposition of the electrolytic solution or the formed water product} - H01M 2008/1095: {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes} - H01M 2250/10: Fuel cells in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant - Y02B 90/10: Applications of fuel cells in buildings - Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The present invention relates to a downhole power supply device for supplying power in situ to a power consuming device arranged in a well, comprising a fuel cell producing electricity and water and having a fuel inlet, an oxidising inlet, an electric output and a water outlet, a fuel container fluidly connected to the fuel inlet, and an oxidising agent container fluidly connected to the oxidising inlet, wherein the fuel cell has an internal pressure which is at least 1.0 bar for increasing a boiling temperature of the water produced in the fuel cell. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a downhole system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A downhole power supply device for supplying power in situ to a power consuming device arranged in a well, comprising: a fuel cell producing electricity and water and having a fuel inlet, an oxidising inlet, an electric output and a water outlet, a fuel container fluidly connected to the fuel inlet, and an oxidising agent container fluidly connected to the oxidising inlet, wherein the fuel cell has an internal pressure which is at least 1.0 bar for increasing a boiling temperature of the water produced in the fuel cell, wherein the water outlet is fluidly connected to a water collecting container via a wick that is configured to suck the water from the fuel cell into the water collecting container, wherein the wick is configured to allow the fuel cell to be rotationally independent. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is a polybenzimidazole fuel cell. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell has a membrane comprising phosphoric acid (PA)-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell has a high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is operable without external power for a period of more than 500 hours. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is configured to operate without humidification. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the water collecting container comprises a water absorbing material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A downhole power supply device according to claim 7, wherein the water absorbing material comprises Silicon dioxide or similar materials. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a power coupling for receiving power. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a regenerative unit being an electrolysis unit having an electrolysis chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit, such as a timer for activating the fuel cell at certain time intervals. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a regenerative unit comprising: a regenerative fuel cell for converting water from the fuel cell into fuel and into an oxidising agent, a first inlet fluidly connected with the water collecting container, a first outlet fluidly connected with the fuel container, and a second outlet fluidly connected with the oxidising agent container. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure generating unit configured to increase the internal pressure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A downhole system comprising: a well tubular metal structure arranged in a borehole and having an exterior face and an inside, a power consuming device, and a downhole power supply device according to claim 1, arranged inside the well tubular metal structure or arranged on the exterior face of the well tubular metal structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A downhole system according to claim 14, wherein the power consuming device is a tool arranged in the well tubular metal structure and the downhole power supply device is comprised in the tool. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A downhole system according to claim 14, wherein the power consuming device is a sensor or an actuator, being arranged exterior of the well tubular metal structure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A downhole system according to claim 16, wherein the downhole power supply device and the power consuming device are arranged exterior of the well tubular metal structure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) A downhole system according to claim 14, wherein the power supply device is located on the exterior face of the well tubular metal structure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is contained within a housing, and the water collecting chamber is positioned outside the housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A downhole power supply device according to claim 1, where the wick includes a bundle of tubes surrounded by an outer tube.